Postdoctoral Work

Antibody Mediated Psychosis – The PPiP and SINAPPS Studies

Overview

Recent research has indicated that the immune system may be involved in the development of psychosis and schizophrenia. Antibodies that attack NMDA receptors in the brain and cause symptoms of psychosis, as a prodromal phase of brain inflammation and encephalitis, have been identified and have been successfully treated.

It has also been found that these antibodies are present in more than 6% of first episode psychosis patients, with an absence of brain swelling. The PPiP study aims to test whether administering similar treatment to these patients, in addition to antipsychotics, improves recovery.

The SINAPPS group aims to also investigate the treatment of these antibodies in patients with psychosis in a multi-centre RCT.